FB post arrest: Probe reveals junior police officers defied orders

A report prepared by a team headed by the Inspector General, Konkan suggested that the junior officers at the Palghar police station in Maharashtra flouted instructions issued by seniors and arrested Shaheen Dadha and Renu Srivastav.

Charges against the girls are to be withdrawn and CNN-IBN reported that administrative or departmental action will be taken against the police officers involved.

The IG also recommends that departmental action be taken against the police officers.

Shaheen Dadha and Renu Srinivasan from Palghar were arrested after Dadha posted a Facebook status protesting the Mumbai shutdown after Thackeray’s death. PTI

The report said that the use of Sections 295(A) and 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code against Shaheen Dadha and her friend Renu Srivastav were unjustified.

The report will most probably be forwarded to the state government.

Dadha had put up a Facebook status update which condemned how Mumbai had shut down on the day Thackeray was cremated. She and her friend, who had 'liked' the update, were initially booked under section 295A (hurting the religious sentiment of others) and were reportedly remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.

The two girls were arrested after a complaint was made to the Palghar police station in neighbouring Thane district by a local Sena leader.

A group of Shiv Sainiks attacked and ransacked Dadha's uncle’s orthopaedic clinic at Palghar, even though she withdrew her comment and apologised.